Courtesy of Billings Farm & Museum Visitors enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride with Phil Warren and Percherons Lynn and Sue around the snow-covered fields at Billings Farm & Museum. Dec. 5-6—WOODSTOCK—Discover the traditions of a 19th century Vermont Christmas with a visit to the Billings Farm & Museum, the gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage. Christmas…

By Robin Alberti The entertainment stage is surrounded by an outpouring of toys to be donated to local kids in need. Saturday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m.—KILLINGTON — Ted Arbo’s 29th annual “Toys for Tots (Not Tears)” holiday party will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Foundry at Summit Pond,…

Courtesy of GMC Green Mountain College choir sings under the direction of James Cassarino. Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.—POULTNEY—The Green Mountain College choirs, GMC Festival Brass, and guest musicians will present their annual spirited holiday concert Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in Ackley Hall on the GMC campus, One Brennan Circle, Poultney. This…

Courtesy of William Jenney President Calvin Coolidge lights the first National Tree in Washington, D.C., 1923. Anne Collins, Vermont culinary author, among the special guests Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.—PLYMOUTH NOTCH—Celebrate the traditions of the season at Plymouth Notch — one of Vermont’s most picturesque villages — on Saturday, Dec. 5 when the President…

By Michael O’Brien Photography, courtesy of Paramount Theatre Auctioneer Bob Prozzo points to a bidder during the largest fundraiser for the Paramount Theatre. Saturday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.—RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre will host its 13th annual Festival of Trees, the theatre’s annual benefit auction, on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the historic theatre. Doors open at 5:30…

By Cal Garrison, a.k.a. Mother of the Skye This week's Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Leo Moon, with short and long term aspects that include the Sun and Saturn, in a hard Square to the planet Neptune. Translating this configuration into laymen's terms it comes down to confronting our illusions and…

Cal Garrison (a.k.a Mother of the Skye) writes weekly horoscopes for The Mountain Times. If you would like an emailed notification sent to you weekly, sign up for the newsletter, below. Want to hear more from Mother of the Skye? Check out Mother's Celestial Inspirations     Horoscopes for November 26 - December 2, 2015…

Courtesy of CMAC Shop Compass for holiday gifts such as one-of-a-kind polymer clay jewelry by Christine Damm. Saturday, Dec. 5 at 12 p.m. — BRANDON —With December and the holiday season comes many warm and comforting delights. Among them, tea, hot cocoa, sweets and shopping! Come to the Compass Center’s “Delights of December” holiday reception on…

Courtesy of Chandler Center for the Arts Simone Dinnerstein Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.—RANDOLPH—On Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., acclaimed pianist Simone Dinnerstein makes her eighth appearance on the stage in a solo recital at Chandler Music Hall in Randolph. On the program are Schumann’s “Scenes from Childhood,” Bach’s “French Suite #5,” “Four…

Courtesy of Phoenix Books A youngster smiles at the chance to meet the Grinch. Sunday, Dec. 6 at 12 p.m.—RUTLAND—Children and kids-at-heart will get to meet Dr. Seuss’s meanest and greenest creation when the Grinch himself visits Phoenix Books Rutland on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 12 p.m. All ages are welcome to bring a camera and…

Courtesy of Pentangle Arts Judy Collins Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Judy Collins, 60s folk legend, will be bringing her holiday show to the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.  Collins will be singing and performing many holiday favorites along with her many hits sure to take guests down Memory…

Courtesy of NWPL ROGER PAYNE AND LISA HARROW Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.—On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the Norman Williams Public Library will hold a program entitled “SeaChange: Reversing the Tide” with Roger Payne and Lisa Harrow. Should everything dance to humanity’s tune, or does such a self-important view lead to the destruction on earth?…

Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.—CHITTENDEN— The First Friday Open Mic series continues on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Wildwood, 347 Holden Road in Chittenden. Musicians, poets and storytellers of all ages are invited to perform. The acoustics are great but a sound system is provided for those who…

RUTLAND—Phoenix Books and Chris Bohjalian are teaming up to raise some holiday cheer for Spectrum Youth and Family Services. For every copy of Bohjalian’s upcoming novel “The Guest Room” that customers preorder now through Dec. 24, $5 will be donated to Spectrum. The first 300 books preordered will also be signed and personalized by Bohjalian in…

Saturday, Dec. 5 at 9 a.m.—WEST PAWLET—A busy day is planned for Saturday, Dec. 5 in West Pawlet. The annual Christmas festival, craft fair and flea market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department’s fire station. The day includes a large bake sale, lunch, raffles and the…